Smoking was identified today as one of the major health problems facing the Irish public in the National Cancer Registry report, published today.
The Government’s plan to tackle the issue will enable the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, to extend environmental controls on smoking in public places and public facilities, not already covered by existing legislation.
Speaking at the launch of the report today, Mr Martin said the Government had decided to enact "as a matter of urgency", the Public Health (Tobacco) Bill, introduced in the Oireachtas last year. It is due to come into force at Easter.
He said the Government would also continue to target a reduction in smoking through its fiscal policies.
It is thought the legislation could bring about the country’s first non-smoking pubs.
The survey, which examined incidences of cancer, mortality, treatment and survival between the years 1994-1998, showed 20 per cent of the total 7,500 deaths due to cancer, were lung cancer cases.
There were 20,000 new cases during the study period and the most common forms of the disease were skin cancer, large bowel cancer, lung, breast and prostate cancer.
Mr Martin said the lung cancer statistics contained in the report reaffirmed "the need for comprehensive, strengthened legislative measures to tackle tobacco use in this country".
Dr Harry Comber, director of the National Cancer Registry said there was a "significant trend upwards" in recorded cases of lung cancer in young women between 1994-1998, but "less so" for men.